Ledisi Interview Page 4

Ledisi:  Wow.  I have to say—and this is odd for me because—not odd, but just like—I can’t believe this is overwhelming (laughs) is the fact that Verve really lets me be an artist and fully express myself on every level, from the cover and having the ideas of the design, and what I’m looking for and letting me work with who I want to work with, and adding and subtracting things or whatever, or being open to the idea, because that’s a lot for a major label to do.

Smitty:  Yeah, that’s sweet.

Ledisi:  Normally labels don’t do those things, so I’m very appreciative of that because it made me feel like I was still being independent but not really. And I am, still, in some degree because I own my other recordings and stuff, I own my masters, so I still have to be careful to watch over those as well, I mean. And they allow me to continue my own thing at the same time, so that, to me, is an overwhelming experience because I’ve made things on my terms, you know what I mean?

Smitty:  Yes.

Ledisi:  And they’ve allowed it with putting ego aside and just letting the music breathe through and letting me breathe as an artist.  I mean, that’s a major thing.  And taking risks, because this business is full of risk and they’re taking a risk on me.  I mean, that’s brave, and that’s overwhelming and I’m so appreciative of that whole phase.  I don’t know what’ll happen for the future of it, but just this one step is really beautiful.

Smitty:  Nice!

Ledisi:  And that’s overwhelming for me.  And the best part as far as making the record, like the music part of it, is just how everybody just stepped up and when there was not the money they are worth or the musician they couldn’t find, somebody found it…..From the engineers to the musicians to the producers, it’s like everybody came through and they didn’t have to and they came through because they enjoy my person and my spirit as well as they enjoy working on some good quality music because they know I’m gonna put blood, sweat and tears in it.  So that, to me, you can tell that’s all nothing but God, because if you didn’t have faith and you were a mean person and had a bad heart and spirit, you’re not gonna get the things you deserve, but now I’m like I was completely ready for it.

Smitty:  That’s a beautiful thing.

Ledisi:  I was in the right place at the right time. Yeah, and I know I’m just talking and preaching, but I’m being honest. That’s a really good question.  What’s the overwhelming part of making this record?  Man, that’s a beautiful question, oh.

Smitty:  So I’m saving one thing for last.

Ledisi:  Okay.

Smitty:  Ledisi, tell us what it means.

Ledisi:  Mm-hmm?  Ledisi means to come here, to bring forth.  It’s a Nigerian word and it’s from the Yorubu culture, I believe, and my parents named me, my dad and my mom, and really my dad, and I had no choice in that.  That’s my real name and that’s what it means, so there’s not much to it.

Smitty:  Well, I couldn’t sum up this record any better than someone that brings forth because you have brought forth some incredible music.

Ledisi:  Wow.

Smitty:  You have put your stamp on your career as a legitimate professional singer with a strong and just a magnificent voice, and your vibe has garnered some incredible musicians to work with you and out of love and from the heart, and they put that heart and soul along with you into this music, so I would say congratulations on a beautiful project, thank you for making such great music, and I would beg you to keep your flava strong and keep doing what you’re doing.

Ledisi:  You know what?  I thank you for giving me the opportunity to be heard and just loving the music because I don’t care if you wrote the story, okay?  (Both laugh.)  What matters is if you heard my story, you know?

Smitty:  Yeah, it’s a pleasure.

Ledisi:  That, to me, means a lot, I swear to you, and I’m not fake at all.  I can’t, I don’t know how to be. I could not have done it without people believing in it.

Smitty:  Yeah, absolutely.

Ledisi:  And you’re hearing it, you feel it.  If you’re walking around going “Ooh, that made me feel better today” and you said “Cover to cover.”  That means from start to finish.

Smitty:  Yes.

Ledisi:  That means we did a good thing. It’s sent to enlighten the spirit. You even write to enlighten the spirit and to put people in the know.  That’s a powerful gift and not everybody has that, so I’m grateful.

Smitty:  Absolutely.

Ledisi:  We’re exchanging it, honey.  (Both laugh.)  Anything!

Smitty:  Yes indeed.  Well, Ledisi, I want to thank you once again for this great record and the release date is was, August 28th?

Ledisi:  August 28th. I’m so excited.  What a great time for music.

Smitty:  Yes, and you have a Web site as well.

Ledisi:  Yeah, www.ledisi.com.  Did you see it yet?  Have you seen it?

Smitty:  I have been there, and love it.

Ledisi:  Thank you! Yeah, you gotta see the colorful site.  It’s from home and I have journal talk on there and everything is fun.

Smitty:  Absolutely. That’s what I like about it.

Ledisi:  Thank you so much.

Smitty:  Your site is gorgeous. I love the opening clip!

Ledisi:  You know, I put that clip on there so people can say my name right.  (Both laugh.)  And check out the footage too.  There’s some with me and Chaka [Khan], there’s me and Sundra, and me on BETJ, and there’s all kind of little gadget stuff.

Smitty:  Oh yeah.  Yeah, I love the street sign.

Ledisi:  Oh, you like that?  Don’t be looking at all that, now.  (Both laugh.)

Smitty:  That’s a nice touch.

Ledisi:  Ooh!  I was like “Hey, is that really me?  Ya’ll didn’t touch up something, did ya?”

Smitty:  Oh, no.

Ledisi:  And then I looked at them.  I was like “Oh, that’s really me.”  (Laughs.)

Smitty:  Oh, shoot.  You did a magnificent job.  It’s a great site and love the billboard on the side, and oh yeah.

Ledisi:  Good.  Isn’t that cute?

Smitty:  Yeah, it is just gorgeous.

Ledisi:  They worked it out.  My friend Corey did that.  She did a great job.

Smitty:  It is gorgeous.  So now you’re gonna be out on the road?

Ledisi:  Yes, I’m gonna be on the road and promoting this record, doing whatever I can to make it happen and showing my face.  I’m about to do a video, which is exciting, for “Alright.” And the treatment is great, it’s simple and sweet.  I didn’t want a whole bunch of to do.

Smitty:  Will that be available to the public, the video?

Ledisi:  Oh, yes.  That’s the plan.  It’s gonna go on, we’re hoping for VH1 and BET and all that, on Video Soul.

Smitty:  Oh, super, okay.

Ledisi:  And all those folks, so we’ll see what happens.  I’ve never been seen on a video, so this is exciting.  I’m not a camera person, but also I did the Leatherhead movie with George Clooney, which was fun, and that comes out in December, so I’m excited about that.

Smitty:  Oh, YEAH!

Ledisi:  Yeah, a small feature in a George Clooney movie that comes out in December with Renee Zellweger, which was fun.  Christian Scott played my trumpeteer along with his trio, so that was really nice. We had a good time.

Smitty:  Very cool. Can’t wait to see the movie. Ledisi, thanks again for this great record and your wonderful spirit! We’ve been visiting with the lovely and soulful, Verve recording artist, Ledisi. Her new album is called Lost & Found. I highly recommend this project. Ledisi, we love you, all the very best and hope to see you soon.

Ledisi: Absolutely! Thank you so much, Smitty.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.ledisi.com and www.myspace.com/ledisi and www.vervemusicgroup.com